Incredible.
That's the word that comes to mind when thinking about Columbus' stretch run that saw them win almost every game over the last couple months of the season.
Despite an absurd 500+ man games due to injuries, the Blue Jackets won 42 games and finished over .500 (42-40 if you combine regulation/OTL's).
To put that in perspective, they had 43 wins last year in what was the best season in franchise history. That they were able to come close to reaching that total given what they've gone through is amazing.
The Winnipeg Jets, Pittsburgh Penguins, Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators all made the playoffs with 43 wins, so that tells you how close this Blue Jackets team actually was. A couple less injuries and few OT losses rather than regulation and they're in the playoffs, too.
GM Jarmo Kekalainen has some work to do this summer, but not as much as you typically see in a team that falls short of the playoffs.
With Sergei Bobrovsky in goal and Curtis McElhinney likely to be brought back, nothing needs to be done in goal.
Up from the Blue Jackets are absolutely loaded and were rolling four skilled lines for the last chunk of the season, and that was without David Clarkson and Rene Bourque (injuries) as well as prospects Kerby Rychel, Oliver Bjorkstrand, William Karlsson and Sonny Milano, all of whom are NHL ready or close to it.
I could see the Jackets moving a couple bodies to clear room and/or acquire some help on defense in the process, but beyond that not much needs to be done.
Anyone who followed the Blue Jackets this season knows their defense was their greatest weakness. Hopefully having Ryan Murray for a full season next year will be a big boost, but they could use another top-4 defenseman.
Those aren't always easy to come by, but with Columbus' deep prospect system, and loaded forward core, I'm sure they can find a way to make something work.
It'll be interesting to see what Kekalainen has in store this summer, because not a lot needs to be changed, and he has the assets to bring in quality players at positions of need.
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I plan on writing daily (or close to it) throughout the summer and will write about draft targets, free agency, potential trades, etc. There is plenty of time before next season, obviously, so if there's anything you'd like to see me touch on let me know and I'll try and do just that.
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